Yes, I’ve loved Evander MacLaine since I was twelve.But now I know him, and I love him for real, the way a woman loves a man.And it’s going to sting something fierce when I have to put this time with him into the rearview mirror.
So I promise myself that I’ll enjoy whatever time we have and revel in whatever this is.I’ll worry about tomorrow, tomorrow.
“You, Phoebe.You’re what’s in it for me.”
I did not expect that.
“Your happiness.Your peace of mind.So if it makes you happy to see the MacLaines do something for the Travises, then that’s my motivation.”
I push up to a sitting position and stare at him.He holds my gaze, his expressionless face hiding whatever he might be feeling or thinking.
“You don’t give yourself enough credit, Evander.”
He lets out a clipped laugh.“Now that’s a new one.I’m more used to hearing ‘you sure think a lot of yourself, don’t you?’or ‘must be nice to be the smartest man on earth, you self-righteous prick.’”
“Then you need to find nicer people to spend time with.”
“People didn’t say those things to me, Phoebe—my ex-girlfriends did.”
“You need nicer girlfriends, then.But what I’m getting at is you see yourself as one-dimensional.”
“Say what?”
“Remember when you said that putting me in a neat and tidy category made it simpler for you?Well, I’m beginning to think that you do the same to yourself.If you’re a grumpy hard-ass, then you don’t have to acknowledge how deeply you feel things.”
He doesn’t answer.But he doesn’t look away, either.
“You’ve decided you’re a loner.A SEAL super-achiever with a taste for fancy suits and expensive scotch who’s loyal to his family and focused on working hard.”
“I occasionally enjoy a nice cigar.You forgot that.”
I laugh.“My apologies.”
“I’ve chosen that life, Phoebe.It’s what I want for myself.And I’m proud of it.”
“As you should be.But, Evander, you may be selling yourself short, you know, hitting the easy button.It’s something to consider, that’s all.”
He tries to rise up, but I press my palm to his chest and push him back to the floor.I throw the blanket off the front of his body, swing a leg over, and straddle him.
Well, I did it.I’ve finally thrown my leg over him.He’s naked beneath me.And now that I’m here…
I drop both my palms to his chest.His hands spread over the tops of my thighs.
“Are you busting my balls again, Phoebe?”
“I am.”
He traces a finger down toward my knee, then loops around to slide up the inside of my thigh.His touch sends a ripple of pleasure across my skin.His fingertip pushes up under the hem of his sweater.“I don’t usually allow that, you know.”
“Then why am I the exception?”
When his dark lashes lift and his violet eyes lock with mine, I glimpse something I’ve not seen there before.It’s gone in a flash.
But I know what I saw.
The most capable and courageous man I’ve ever met isn’t sure what to do with a woman’s love.
“I let you because you’re cute.”
